Just recently, I got to read the sequel to one of the best historical fiction novels I’ve read this year, A Light on the Hill. I didn’t know what to expect from the second book besides a re-run of the excellent writing the first one contained, and I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest! Although the level of action was slightly less in Shelter of the Most High compared to the first book, the theme was just as beautiful and the story just as touching.

I immediately empathized with the main character, Sofea, from the first page. The descriptions were spot-on and just plain gorgeous, but the story itself catapulted me into a world I’ve never imagined before. And though some of the events were horrible, I could understand why they were there and I loved watching how those situations were turned around for good at the end of the book.

In all, this was an excellent story. Perhaps a tad more on the emotions side of romance than I’m comfortable with, but otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I requested a review copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.

" Shelter of the Most High is written by Connilyn Cossette. It is a Biblical fiction book and also has some history in the book. It is the second book in the series Cities of Refuge. The second book takes off where the first ended but adds some new characters Sofea and Prezi. Sofea and Prezi are on the sea on the Island of Sicily and their boat is taken over by marauders. Prezi is handicapped and the cousin of Sofea. They end up in a foreign land and lose everything. They meet Eithan who has been living with Moriyah his adoptive mother in the city of refuge. Eithan is attracted to Sofea. The city of refuge is supposed to protect people who have innocently hurt , killed someone from others who would hurt them. Eithan and Moriyah have been living in Kadesh, city of refuge for 11 years and have suffered post traumatic stress. Eithan has wanted to learn how to fight with Derek, his step father, but for years Derek does not want him to venture out of the city of refuge. He fears that his brother will kill him over a dispute in which his sons were killed. During the story Sofea and Prezi get taken and captured. They became part of a murder plot. Eithan does everything possible to rescue Prezi and Sofea to safety. It proves to be challenging. The story is a reminder that God is our refuge and wants to protect us and those in the city of refuge from harm. It paints the Biblical history of the times Eithan , Sofea, Prezi lived. It is well written and helps the reader understand Biblical history. What will become of Sofea and Eithan's relationship? What will happen with Prezi and Sofea? Will they get rescued to safety. The book is well written and I would highly recommend it. It was given to me by the publisher and netgalley to read and review. I appreciate this opportunity and thank netgalley and the publisher very much. I look forward to the third book coming out in the series.

The book starts out with Prezi and Sofea were out together, who are cousins ,gets kidnapped. They are taken away on a ship. After a few days when it lands they are kicked off. They are left alone on a beach without any food or water. They are found by a Hebrew guys, who they don’t understand. Most of the story take place after this time. This is not a summary of the book, a lot of detail I left out. You need to read the book to fill in the details and find out how it ends.

The book is set Before Christ, way early Bible times. This is 2nd in a series which I did not read the first one but I am curious what it was like. In my opinion I think it would have been better to read book one first. The book was fast paced, interesting from start to finish. My favorite character was Eitan, who was a very hard worker and very inspiring.

I received an complementary copy of the book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write an positive review. This is my own opinion.

I have a confession to make. This is my first time reading a book by Cossette. Don't judge! I've had her books in my TBR stack for a long time now, but darn the blogging schedule that gets in the way. I have heard so many great things, and have just been waiting for the moment I could open the pages to one of her beautifully crafted stories. The moment arrived, and I was kind of nervous. I mean, when there is so much hype about an author or a book, I get a little skiddish before I begin. What if the people who have recommended her books to me for a while are just wrong and I don't like the book at all? Let me just say this - to my friends who have been telling me to read Cossette's book for months. I'm sorry. I am sorry it has taken so long for me to finally open one up. My opinion on this book? Well, it was pretty much amazing.
Although it's book two in a series, I didn't feel lost as much as I felt sometimes there were inside jokes I didn't know about. Okay, there is not literal jokes in this book but I think you know what I'm getting at. That aside, I enjoyed this book much more then I thought I would. I've just started to become interested in Biblical Fiction, and this book makes me want to read them even more. Cossette manages to bring you back in time, to stand right beside the characters and feel exactly what they are feeling.
Sofea's journey is something many of us can relate to. Yes, she is slowly learning more about the God we all know and love, and yes it is during different times so she doesn't have the same tools that we do to learn from. But she has similar feelings to all of us before we knew God, His love, and His ability to care for us. And Eiten? Well, I know he is not from our time period obviously, but I wouldn't mind a visit from him ;)
Cossette is an author that has easily made it to my list of favorites. I promise there will not be a big gap before reading her next book! I encourage you to read the first book in the series before this one. In fact, just get them both at the same time and set aside a day to read. I promise you won't be sorry! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Connilyn Cossette's new book does not disappoint.

I've read all of her books so far and I highly recommend reading them in publication order. All her books are linked through the characters and I absolutely love that. It's always fun to revisit characters from the previous book and see where they are at.

In this book, Eitan is all grown up and lives in Kedesh with Moriyah and Darek. The story is centered around him and Sofea, a young woman whom Darek brings back to Kedesh after finding her and her injured cousin on his way back from a mission.

I can't wait for the next book in the series which will be about Malakhi and Rivkah, two characters we meet in this book.

Thanks to the publisher for providing me a copy of the book. It did not affect my review

Shelter of the Most High by Connilyn Cossette is a novel not to be missed. It’s difficult for my words to adequately reflect the magnificence of this story, and a 5-star rating falls far short. I found it entertaining, informative, and uplifting. It stands tall in the biblical fiction genre, but reads purely as exquisite historical fiction also.

When a writer describes a setting or scene, I usually feel one of two ways – either standing at the edge, looking on to what is happening, or being drawn in, practically breathing the same air as the characters. I can’t explain how Cossette does it, but the second effect is what I felt on every page. Everything from Sicily to Kedesh of 1388 BC is vivid, and I have a much greater understanding of the depth of meaning in the term refuge.

Characters are so very rich and complex …
… the relationship between Sofea and Eitan: “I’d vowed from the beginning that I wanted nothing of Eitan’s interest, but at this moment I wanted nothing more than to live at the center of it.”
… Moriyah, a devout woman who felt that Sofea and Prezi had been brought to their family in order to heal
… the strained relationship between Eitan and his stepfather, Darek
… Prezi, Sofea’s cousin, once a follower who now found her voice: “Given the choice between the gods our people venerated on that hill and the God who offers shelter for even the most undeserving, I know whom I choose.”

But what touched me the most was seeing Yahweh through the eyes of Sofea and Prezi, with their heritage of pagan gods and evil worship practices. I’ve always loved the revelation of God’s character that the Old Testament gives us, and Cossette’s narrative makes it fresh and new all over again. Yahweh, the God of refuge, shelter, protection … the God who values all life.

It’s hard to put this book down at any point, especially when the danger and action picks up in the second half, but Cossette still gives readers time to breathe. Shelter of the Most High is a story that lives on long after the last page is turned. Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Connilyn Cossette knocked it out of the park again. I was hooked from the first chapter and couldn't put this book down. Cossette brings to life the stories, characters, and historical period of the bible. I love her books, and this was no exception!

Cossette’s books transport readers back to another time, her skill at setting such that you feel as though you are walking the dusty roads, rooftops, and marketplaces right along with the characters. Her extensive research helps the era come alive with intriguing details, and I love how she has pulled an entire series of compelling characters and soul-touching plots from a concept briefly mentioned in Scripture. It allows me to see familiar Old Testament settings & customs in new and fresh ways, prompting me to do further study of Scripture on my own.

Sofea firmly set up camp in my heart throughout Shelter of the Most High. The fact that she came from a pagan culture enabled me to see God and the Hebrew culture from her point of view, something that I believe is beneficial for anyone who has been raised in a Christian home. Sometimes we become complacent to our Biblical knowledge, our traditions, the exquisite mercy & wooing pursuit of our God, and it takes seeing it all through the eyes of someone who didn’t have that luxury to fully appreciate anew the gift we’ve been given in our Savior. Eitan has the heart of a warrior as well as a huge capacity for love, two traits that could either serve him well or destroy him depending on how he chooses to use them. Sofea and Eitan’s character growth and their sizzling chemistry (those kisses! whew!) add layers to their individual stories as well as their mutual plot arc.

I have seen some reviews that say it’s best to have read book 1, that they had a hard time following the characters and the dynamic that was established earlier on, but I did not find that to be the case. It does make me want to go back and read the first book, not because I was lost but because I was so captivated by these characters that I want to learn all I can about them. I was able to pick up on the undertones fairly easily and, while I knew there was more to their story, the author did a great job of making sure readers have all the info they need to be fully present in this one.

Bottom Line: An exquisite tale of mercy, grace and love, Shelter of the Most High invites readers to experience the refuge of God in ways they perhaps had not considered before. You will quickly become deeply invested in the characters and their emotional journeys, full of adventure and surprising twists. Cossette’s writing talent is immediately apparent as her words wrap around all the senses and engage the reader from the first to the last page. Tender, moving, and entertaining, this book – and Cossette’s entire book list – belongs on your must-read list!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)

“The Almighty Creator spoke your being into existence. How could you be anything less than precious?” This is a quote to end all quotes for me, one I want to memorize, because it is TRUTH.
What a wonderful, yet chilling, story Connilyn Cossette has penned in Shelter of the Most High. As always, I especially pay attention when a book has a double-entendre title. Well- done from the start!
Cossette takes the reader back to the time in Israel’s history when Israel has just entered the Promised Land, captured much territory, and now their revered leader Joshua is ready to die.
One of Israel’s traveling spies, Darek, finds Sofea and Prezi, malnourished and greatly abused, on an island. Taking them back to his family,
Sofea and Prezi slowly heal as they are assimilated into a large family whose God is so very different from their own.
Cossette is a new-to-me author that I can’t wait to begin reading more, starting with the first and soon-to-come third book of this series. This book, although book two of a series, stands well on its own. Spell-binding could describe Cossette’s writing. Once started, it was hard to stop reading. Perhaps gritty also describes Cossette’s style. Not in language, but the physical abuse, carnage, and false god worship may turn a few delicate stomachs.
What else, besides the compelling storyline, history immersion, and sweet romance make this a great book? Themes of unabating guilt, undeserved mercy, and unconditional love. If you have not tried Cossette’s Biblical fiction, or at least not Shelter of the Most High, I strongly invite you back to Cossette’s ancient Israel, the Cities of Refuge, and the Great Sea.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. No review was required, and all opinions are my own.

This is a wonderful series. I did not want to put this book down. This was a fantastic biblical fiction story. This story showed what Sofea felt when she was taken from her home and ends up with people she doesn’t know and can’t understand. Eitan learns many lessons also. This was one of my favorite books written in 2018. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

I don't know where I've been, but I can't believe I have not read a book by this author. Her silky smooth textured writing places readers right in the midst of the story. Sofea is a wonderful character with great passion. As she escapes with her cousin Prezi, the author transports us back in time. It was hard to read how Sofea and Prezi had been treated and to discover what had happened to their village. I loved how determined Sofea was to keep her cousin safe . I'm not sure how brave I would be to jump off a ship but when faced with danger, but Sofea knew they must jump or face death.

Eitan is a young man who has not been allowed to from leave his city because of a grudge someone has against him. It is evident as you read the story that revenge fuels several characters. I liked how Eitan and his family took Sofea and Prezi in and made them feel safe. There was a bit of uncertainty between the cousins of their new home but at least they were not out in water or wandering around without shelter to protect them.

I loved getting to know each character but I have to say Prezi was my favorite. Her quiet disposition was refreshing and I loved how she was hungry to know who God was. I loved how the story flowed and the mystery surrounding Eitan. Someone is out to harm him and will do anything to lure him straight into the path of death.

I loved this story and how seamless the author incorporated biblical truths throughout the story. It is also a beautiful story of people seeking forgiveness and acceptance. I loved the adventure Eitan took when he found out Sofea and Prezi were in danger. He was willing to sacrifice himself to save them. A great reminder that we also had someone who gave their life to save us. I highly recommend this story filled with historical facts and a lesson in hope.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

This is an incredible biblical romance novel!

The characters were extremely well developed. I felt like I connected with many of them. I have read about the cities of refuge in the bible. I never took the time to really think about what it would have been like for a manslayer who was stuck living inside one city with no possibility of leaving. I felt like I was able to really step into their sandals and feel some of the frustration.

I have never read any books by this author before. She did a marvelous job of describing life in the early years in the Promised Land. I really enjoyed seeing how Moriyah ran her household and welcomed outsiders into her home. I will be reading more of her books.

The development of the plot and the danger that Sofea and Prezi are put in more than once is great. I was able to fell their fear right along with them.

The journey that Eitan goes on to mature and work through his past is fantastic. He definitely has some struggles that he faces and personal faults to overcome.

I loved seeing how she wove actual Biblical figures into her fictional story. It made everything feel even more real.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

My expectations were high going into “Shelter of the Most High”, and I have to say that I was not disappointed. Connilyn Cossette is now on my list of favorite authors, and you can bet that I will be bumping all of her books to the top of my pleasure reading list. I am eager to explore Moriyah’s story in “A Light on the Hill”, and although it is not necessary to read it first, I am sure that it offers background information that would enhance the reading experience of the second book. “Shelter of the Most High” holds its own as a standalone, however, and takes off with a flying leap right from the very beginning. There are no lulls in this story! With a diverse cast of characters and a vulnerable but determined heroine, the plot resembles a wheel hub with spokes fanning out from it, each intriguing and skillfully connected to the whole.

Sanctuary cities are a hot-button topic in today’s political climate, and the concept of a city of refuge, while clearly different in implementation, connects the reader to the narrative and makes the story more contemporaneous. The other issues that unfold augment this connection. Some of the characters suffer from PTSD, and the reality of transitioning from one culture to another, overcoming language barriers as well as foreign customs, is very convincingly portrayed. Romance plays a role also, and one of the most poignant elements in the novel is the faith journey that the characters embark upon. Sofea and Eitan were the main protagonists, and the story is told from their alternating points of view in the first person, but this tale belongs just as much to the secondary characters. Cossette truly achieves a well-rounded narrative in which all of the characters’ lives echo throughout the pages and enrich those of the hero and heroine. This is Biblical fiction done well, on par with the works of such authors as Tessa Afshar. Highly recommended!

I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and NetGalley and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

Shelter of the Most High starts out with action and adrenaline from chapter one. Its one of those books that draw you in right away.
In today’s world its hard to imagine finding yourself alone in a foreign land with no translator. Having to learn a new language, culture, and way of life completely different than you’d ever experienced.
But that’s exactly what Sofea and Prezi experience. Ripped from the (relative?) safety of home, they will both learn what it means to dwell in the shelter of the Most High.
As far as plot elements are concerned, you have action, mystery, drama, betrayal, revenge, compassion, adoption, all written well.
I connected with Sofea, because she never leaves you wondering. Even with the language barrier, you know where she stands. And I greatly admired her courage! However, I saw more of myself in Prezi, retreating inside herself, observing more than getting involved..
Both girls have a lot going on (as does Eitan!), and each one grows to know this City of Refuge as a real home, far more than where they came from ever was.

Cities of Refuge
The concept of cities of refuge in the Bible (Joshua 20) as explained in this book helped me understand on a more practical level. Involuntary manslaughter (an accident) is not comparable to murder, but it still needs to have consequences, otherwise people will just get more careless.
Shelter of the Most High is book 2 in the Cities of Refuge series. It is not necessary to read book 1 to have a full grasp on book 2, and it doesn’t interfere with the enjoyment factor. That said, reading book 2 does make me want to read book 1, because it piques my interest!

This well written story has opened my eyes to the importance of the cities of refuge describe in the Old Testament of the Bible. For one who had accidentally killed another person, living in these cities meant life and not death. Revenge could not be served as long as they remained within its protective walls. Such was the life of Eitan, his mother Moiyah as well as many others. Through no choice of their own, Sofea and Prezi found themselves in this curious city. Was it possible that Yahweh plucked them from the sea to reside forever in this shelter of the most high? Leaving the sorrow of their past behind, the girls realize that God values them and that He has been with them every step of this torturous journey. Can they, along with Eitan, finally experience peace?
I received this fantastic ebook from CelebrateLit and this review gives my personal impressions and opinions.

Shelter of the Most High played visually through my mind like a movie on the big screen with intensely descriptive scenes that swept across the page, transporting me on a journey back in time to ancient Israel. Beautiful landscapes, fierce pirates, intense battles and a heart-stirring romance make this one of the best books I’ve read this year.
It is a definite top ten in 2018!

Sofea and Prezi are cousins who survive a violent attack on their village. From their frightening capture and escape, to their providential rescue and refuge in Kedesh, there wasn’t a moment I wanted to put this book down. With a profusion of feeling penned on every single page, Cossette’s skill at decreasing intensity is perfectly timed, which allowed me to mellow out and catch my breath before being carried away on another swell of emotion.

Eitan is Moriyah’s son whom we met in A Light on the Hill (Cities of Refuge #1), and has carried guilt over what happened for eleven years and when his heart is finally released from its bondage, it is one of the most compelling scenes. I was moved to tears more than once while reading this story. Several prominent spiritual themes are woven together, making it impossible for me to separate them. God’s love and forgiveness is wound tightly throughout, providing hope and healing and redemption.

All around, Shelter of the Most High is filled with a manifold of historical details and assimilated into a fascinating narrative. I highly recommend this book, especially to fans of Biblical fiction.

I was gifted a copy from the author and publisher. No review was required. No compensation received.

What do I look for in a good Biblical novel? Evidence of in-depth research, characters and setting that match scripture and the culture of the time, a plot that is not only plausible, but points me to further study, and finally, a message that speaks of God’s truth applicable to my life. All of that is exactly what I got from Shelter of The Most High by Connilyn Cossette. This intriguing novel opened up a time in Israel’s history that is often neglected — the era between the conquest of the promised land and the time of the Judges. Based upon the law passed down by Moses and the purpose of the cities of refuge, Shelter of The Most High depicts a time and place I knew little about and made me want to dive into what Scripture has to say about it. The story revolves around Sofea, a girl stolen from her home and lost in a new land, and her interactions with the people of Kedesh, primarily the family of Eitan, a man brought to the city of refuge as a young boy. I found Sofea’s perceptions of those who followed Yahweh fascinating. Her point of view is informed by the pagan worship she grew up with, including human sacrifices and depraved acts. Her knowledge of Yahweh grows as she interacts with His followers. At first she is skeptical and scared — What sort of bizarre religion did these people hold to? (p. 105). But she is drawn to a God who inspires devotion through His kept promises and provision. That message spoke volumes to me. In our modern world, believers are often the first, if not the only, view of Jesus for non-believers. There is romance, intrigue, and danger in the pages of Shelter of The Most High too, making this a page-turner. It should be noted that this book is the second in the Cities of Refuge series and contains spoilers for book 1, A Light on The Hill. I recommend you begin at the beginning and enjoy two wonderfully written novels. Fans of Lynn Austin will especially enjoy these books.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: adults.

Author Cossette has done it again; she has blown me away with her meticulous research and dramatic storytelling. If you are looking for Biblical fiction that will take you to the time of the Israelites as they begin to settle down and take over the land God has given them, look no further than this series, Cities of Refuge.
Shelter of the Most High is the second in this series and continues the story of Moriyah and Darek’s family. Eleven years have passed and they have made their home and family in the refuge city of Kadesh. Eitan has grown up and is a gifted blacksmith making weapons for the Israelites to use. We also get to meet the children of the growing family of Moriyah and Darek. As in the first book, this book deals with the protection that a manslayer may have within the city walls of the refuge cities that have been set aside for just that purpose. Not only do we dive deeper into that topic, but we also get to learn a little bit more about the Nazarites, what made them such and the purpose of their vows.
An aspect that I really like about this series is that is does not focus so much on true historical figures but on fictional ones and what it might be like to live under the Law of God in the land of Israel. In this story we actually get to meet a foreigner, two actually who have taken refuge in this city with God’s people. Sofea and her cousin were taken violently from their home on the island of Sicily and eventually found their way to Moriyah’s family. I really liked the light that that family showed to these two young girls in their fear, grief, and that spoke through even the language barriers they had. I think author Cossette did a really great job of showing the very different cultures, religious customs, and even violent home life these girls once lived with and the comparisons with a home full of love and who worshiped the one true God.
The love story was a nice slow one and a major theme throughout the book was self-sacrifice for family and those we love. I cannot say enough about these stories as all of them have stuck with me and have found their way to my keeper/favorite shelf. This was another unique Biblical fiction story that showed what being a light in a world can do for those seeking refuge and finding it in the Most High.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Finding true refuge

Snatched away from her island home by pirates along with her cousin, Sofea knew she could never go back. When they were picked up on the beach of Canaan by warriors she could not understand, she fully expected the worst.

I don’t think I’ve ever gotten the sense of what it would be like to be completely immersed in a culture where I couldn’t speak the language or be understood, and where the culture was a mystery to me. The way the author helped me experience Sofea’s confusion was remarkable. I really liked her character, the strength and fierce determination she showed despite circumstances that appeared to be dire.

Eitan was so interesting! He apparently was introduced in A Light on the Hill along with his mother, Moriyah. (I really need to read that book!) Now, as a man of twenty years, he is struggling with a desire to be able to fight for Yahweh along with his mother’s husband, and yet he can’t leave Kedesh.

Oh, speaking of Kedesh! I have a completely new understanding of the Cities of Refuge that were set up in Israel now. Not that I’d given them much thought, but now I have a sense that though they were a place of refuge, they were also a prison of sorts. The very fact that by simply stepping outside the walls, the Avenger of Blood could take your life would be quite confining!

I can’t believe I have not read any of this author’s books before and plan to remedy that. Starting with book 1 of this series. That said, I didn’t feel like I was lost as I read this one, it really could stand alone. I want to read the first so I can know everything that has happened already!


Read with a Preview and Guest Post at AmongTheReads.net


I was given a copy of this book for free. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.

Biblical fiction is hard to do well.
And so I wasn't sure what to expect from Shelter of the Most High. There are so many challenges associated with this subgenre. Like any work of historical fiction, the author has do get the historical context right. But when you're dealing with the biblical times, sometimes we don't know all that much about the historical background. We have a lot more records of, for example, Victorian England or the American Civil War. The records are in languages that are still spoken today by many of these authors. With biblical fiction, there may be limited sources. But also, the Bible is such a sensitive thing that researchers have done scholarly battle over the information that is available. How do you know who to trust?

To add to it, there's a concern about character development with Bible characters, especially Jesus. Because we're dealing with God's Word, we don't want to say something about that real person that is just made up (not based on Scripture or historical sources). Gerd Theissen addresses this concern well in his introduction to Shadow of the Galilean:

Your worries would be justified if this were the kind of Life of Jesus that imaginatively fills in the areas where historical sources are silent and sacrifices historical truth to make an effect. Let me reassure you: I am most averse to writing anything about Jesus that is not based on sources.

Can you write fiction about Bible characters?
I don't know that it is necessarily wrong to fill in the gaps about Bible characters in fiction writing (or storytelling), as long as we are clear that's what we're doing. Bible stories sometimes don't give us all the dialogue, and when we have it, it is translated so there is some wiggle room. When I tell the Hagar story, I might say "and she was probably like..." but that works a lot better in storytelling than in writing. In general, my stance is to be clear about your genre. If you're writing fiction, and folks know you're writing fiction, they should also know that you will have to create details that aren't there simply because we don't have that information. It's okay. You don't need to write the Bible (unless you're a translator). Someone already did that. (A lot of someones, and a Someone. But that's for another time.)

The authors that have done biblical fiction well have toed this line by writing about fictional characters set in biblical times.
They are able to bring their characters into contact with biblical themes and even biblical characters, using those characters as a touchstone. That's what Connilyn Cossette did with Shelter of the Most High. In this way, authors don't have to get into that fuzzy territory of making something up about people in the Bible. And good biblical fiction writers would say they write about could have happened, just like any other historical fiction writer would. Folks just get persnickety about the Bible. ;)

Shelter of the Most High is set in the time of the beginning of the book of Judges, when Joshua is still alive. Two young women from a Mediterranean island find themselves kidnapped, their village and families destroyed, and eventually swimming to the shores of Tyre, where they are rescued by travelers whose language and ways are completely unknown. They are brought to Kedesh, a city of refuge, and taken in by a Hebrew family.

What did I think of Shelter of the Most High?
I thought this story was done really well. Christianity and Judaism have been a part of our culture for so long that it was refreshing to step inside the head of a young woman who would have found early Hebrew monotheism utterly foreign and sometimes terrifying. Funny business: I read this book after two days of teaching the book of Judges for School of Ministry. (If I had realized, I would have read the book before teaching the class!). A few weeks before that, I finished a Bible study on the book of Ruth, which is set during the time of the Judges. So I was all seeped up in the historical context - and the theological issues - before reading Shelter of the Most High.

There's a taste of the surrounding towns gravitating back towards Canaanite religion, and the memories of people who were alive for the end of the journey from Egypt. Historically, this book seemed fairly accurate (for what we can know and what we choose to debate about or not.). There are a lot of unknowns about this time, such as how much of Moses' instructions were actually carried out. I thought Ms. Rossette filled in the gaps in a reasonable way, and I think the story will open your eyes to a time in Scripture we don't spend much time with, and hopefully will challenge your own faith, forgiveness, and loyalty to the Most High.

I received a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.